The final match of the League Phase, which Milan could overcome with a historic result by securing a victory—one that would allow them to reach the Round of 16 without going through the playoffs and ranking among the top eight teams in Europe. An unexpected achievement, considering how this Champions League campaign began and the team’s inconsistent league form.
With that in mind, the Rossoneri must take it one game at a time. We've seen how the euphoria of the Supercoppa faded within days after the home draw against Cagliari. The emotional rollercoaster that has marked Conceição’s first month on Milan’s bench is a sign of great heart, sacrifice, and character—attributes that are commendable but also serve as a warning about how Milan approaches matches and struggles for large portions of them.
By the way, while you're waiting for the next Rossoneri match, check out Basant club games and hopefully, you'll strike gold like how Sergio Conceicao's team is hoping tonight.
Seven games in charge of Milan, five wins (four of them comebacks), one draw, and one defeat. But the most striking statistic is that Conceição’s team has fallen behind five times. On several occasions, he has admitted that his team’s first-half performances have been the worst since he took over. The second half against Juventus in Turin wasn’t much better. Too many lapses in concentration—something Milan cannot afford if they want to avoid unrealistic expectations.
Milan with a foundation to build on
There is, however, a foundation to work with. When asked in a press conference about whether Milan could win the Champions League, both the coach and Pulisic gave the same response. “We can’t look too far ahead, or we risk stumbling over the nearest obstacle,” Conceição put it in those terms, and the American confirmed it.
In other words, take it one step at a time—starting with Dinamo Zagreb and then continuing with Inter. The first match could bring a historic result, and so could the second, albeit in a different way. But the main focus must always be the next challenge. Because Milan has often tripped over nearby obstacles, and repeated falls can be truly damaging.
And if anyone is still wondering whether Milan can win the Champions League, the answer is simple: Maybe not. Maybe there are stronger, better-equipped teams. But they absolutely MUST qualify for the next one, as relayed via MilanPress.
Yesterday, during the press conference ahead, head coach Sergio Conceicao had this to say to the media:
"We don’t need things that are not interesting to give us a jolt. The jolt comes from work, from the motivation of playing in the best club competition in the world. We want to conclude this phase in the best possible way. We find motivation every day when we go to Milanello. We have the responsibility to defend a club like Milan. That’s the most important thing."
